Do you remember the 70s book Johnathan Livingston Seagull?
It was beautifully illustrated with photographs that told the story of a particular bird who was more of an odd duck than he was gull.
At about the same time, there was a movie: The Birds. Those birdies were very different to friendly Jonathan, and after seeing the Alfred Hitchcock film at the local theater, I felt frightened to go near the lagoon in Stanley Park.
Here is some real-life imagery that could have come from either of the book or the movie.
Jorge and I went to the beach today
At first the gulls seemed quiet
But they must have caught sight of something interesting
They lurched and searched
They whooped and swooped
“Ah down there!” one of them called out
Nothing better than crunched-up stale Charritos…
Outa my way Lady!
Well pardon us…
All had their fill
And then they left to move on to the next place… Cheezies maybe?
“They forgot to say Gracias,” said Kane
“Ha, ha… but they didn’t get any of these,” added Grandma and Auntie Dot
All’s well that ends well…
What lovely pictures of the Beach and the “local” visitors!! How well I remember and loved Jonathan Livingston Seagull, but in Oakville, Ontario, they are not always the most welcome guests in our local marina. They live in hope for the crumbs of the park strollers and boaters.but interrupt the family gatherings at the picnic tables. You have made them a beauty in flight and descent! Thanks.
The birds were very beautiful and we had fun feeding them. I suppose we shouldn’t have given them the Charritos but they sure liked them!
That’s lovely, Joanna–especially for bird-loving me! I do believe they communicate about the food sources, making for such lovely shows. Did I ever tell you about being engulfed in a whirlwind of hungry pigeons, as I began a cracker-feed at the church in Itzimna? It was totally unforgettable. They weren’t a bit hostile–just hungry, after spotting possibly the day’s first feeder.
Muchas gracias.
I am really glad you enjoyed it Alinde. The birds were just beautiful and little Kane was thrilled.
Lovely pictures. It reminded me of a vacation Todd and I had in Victoria. He always gets up ridiculously early so he left the hotel and went for a walk. The streets were quiet and none of the stores or restaurants were open yet. All he encountered was a crow. And the crow attacked him. It followed him all the way back to the hotel, swooping and diving at his head. Very Hitchcockian. I thought it was hilarious. He did not.
“Follow the birds to Victoria” Remember that BC Ferries slogan? I have also been attacked by a crow on Vancouver Island. In Duncan. Maybe they have a sinister variety there. And yes, it does look funny to everyone but the target.
Hi bird lovers and detractors as well. I just replayed one of my favorite TED.com presentation, on the intelligence of crows. VERY interesting.
http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows.html
Alinde
Another great recommendation by Alinde